treat
(trēt)
[Middle English tretien, from Old French traitier, from Latin tractāre frequentative of trahere, to draw.]
verb: treat·ed, treat·ing, treats.
transitive verb
- To act or behave in a specified manner toward.
- To regard and handle in a certain way. Often used with as: treated the matter as a joke.
- To deal with in writing or speech; discuss: a book that treats all aspects of health care.
- To deal with or represent artistically in a specified manner or style: treats the subject poetically.
- To provide with food, entertainment, or gifts at one's own expense: treated her sister to the theater.
- To give (someone or oneself) something pleasurable: treated herself to a day in the country.
- To subject to a process, action, or change, especially to a chemical or physical process or application.
- To give medical aid to (someone): treated many patients in the emergency room.
- To give medical aid to counteract (a disease or condition): treated malaria with quinine.
intransitive verb
- To deal with a subject or topic in writing or speech. Often used with of: The essay treats of courtly love.
- To pay for another's entertainment, food, or drink.
- To engage in negotiations, as to reach a settlement or agree on terms: “Both sides nonetheless are quite willing to treat with ” (Gregory J. Wallance)
noun
- Something, such as one's food or entertainment, that is paid for by someone else.
- A source of a special delight or pleasure: His trip abroad was a real treat.
derivatives
- treat́er
- noun
synonyms:
treat, deal1handle These verbs mean to act in a specified way with regard to someone or something: treats his guests with courtesy; dealt rationally with the problem; handling a case with discretion.
